Play

Playscapes – Front Page News

Playscapes – Front Page News
In case you don’t live in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, and in case you missed the pics on facebook and twitter… yes, my kids were on the front page of the local paper.  I might be slightly biased but I think it’s a great photo.  Not just because they’re both smiling and looking at the camera, but because they are swinging from a rope ladder in our backyard.
Rice Play

Rice Play

  What do you do when you open a new bag of rice from the supermarket, only to find it has bugs in it? A.  Throw it out B.  Take it back to the supermarket and demand a refund. C.  Colour it and play with it!
Finch Love

Finch Love

This Christmas, my husband surprised me with the best present. EVER. Two words: Erythrura gouldiae
Dirt Kitchen Sink

Dirt Kitchen Sink

You know that saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure…”?!  Never has it been more true.
Bug Hunt

Bug Hunt

My kids are energetic.  Very energetic.  I think most happy, healthy kids are – but it’s good to slow them down sometimes and help them to notice life’s little things.  One way we like to do this outside is to go on a bug hunt.  There are interesting insects and other small creatures all around, but often we don’t notice them because we are too busy.  Open your child’s eyes to the wonder...
Water Play

Water Play

Did you grow up with sprinklers in the back yard?  I have fond memories of spending hot summer days running and jumping through the spray with my sister.  I remember those long green tube-like sprinklers, and the groovy ones that could spin around. I even remember being allowed to run through the sprinklers on the school oval when temperatures reached over 35 deg C.  And then of course there was slip’n'slide…
Sport vs Play

Sport vs Play

This week I was invited by Cricket Queensland to meet legendary cricketer Allan Border and hear about the in2CRICKET program for kids. The program aims to involve primary school aged kids in a shorter version of the game (which doesn’t take up a whole Saturday…)
Nature Numbers

Nature Numbers

“Mummy! Mum! Look what I found. It’s a number six leaf! Cooooool!” Such excitement over a simple leaf. She then dropped it, of course, and so we set off on a search for another 6-shaped-leaf.  I suggested we look for other numeral shapes as well.
Outdoor Chalk Boards

Outdoor Chalk Boards

An outdoor chalkboard is another project I have had on my to-do list for a while. I love the idea of children having lots of writing and drawing opportunities outdoors.  I often find that writing naturally flows outside without the pressure of a classroom environment or the constraints of A4 paper.  Chalk is inviting too, because of its non-permanent nature and its accessibility for little hands. (In fact, Mr 2 drew...
Play Grow Learn e-zine

Play Grow Learn e-zine

Have you got your copy yet? You won’t find a magazine on the supermarket shelves this jam-packed with articles about play in the early years for the tiny sum of $4. If you are a parent or educator of young kids – get your 62 page full colour Play Grow Learn e-zine from Childhood101. Articles, ideas, printables, and more… See? Told you so. Now go get it! Play Grow Learn Because play matters.